Iraq: protection of civilians is paramount

Heavy fighting between Iraqi government forces and armed militia in Basra

and other Iraqi cities is creating a grave risk to civilians, Amnesty

International said today, as it urged all parties to refrain from

indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks and to respect civilian life.

"Civilians have borne the heaviest brunt during the past five years of
conflict in Iraq," said Amnesty International. “This new upsurge of
fighting is certain to add to that terrible toll."

Fighting erupted on Tuesday 25 March in Basra between Iraqi forces and

members of the Mahdi Army, followers of Shi'a Muslim cleric Moqtada

al-Sadr. According to press reports, at least 12 people were killed in the

city. It is not known at this stage if civilians were among them. As

fighting spread, curfews were imposed by the Iraqi authorities in Basra

and other southern cities, including al-Nassirya, Kut, al-Hilla and

Samawa.

The Mahdi Army declared a cease fire at the end of August 2007 and

announced at the end of February 2008 that it was being renewed for a

further six months. It has been vying with other Shi’a militia groups for

political control of Basra and there have been frequent armed clashes

between the Mahdi Army and the Badr Organization, armed wing of the

Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council. The latest fighting appears to have broken

out in response to an attempt by Iraqi security forces to clamp down on

the armed militias.

Amnesty International is calling on the Iraqi government to ensure that

its security forces comply with Iraq’s obligations under international

human rights and humanitarian law, and in particular to ensure that the

civilian population and civilian objects are protected at all time.

Amnesty International is also calling on armed groups in Basra and other

cities to comply with the rules of international law and to respect

civilian life.